STRR vs ADUS

For growth investors, Addus HomeCare Corporation (ADUS) is the stronger pick with 23.

2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -66. 9% for Star Equity Holdings, Inc. (STRR). Addus HomeCare Corporation (ADUS) offers the better valuation at 18. 7x trailing P/E (14. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Addus HomeCare Corporation (ADUS) a "Buy" — based on 15 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

Over the past 5 years, Addus HomeCare Corporation (ADUS) delivered a total return of +0.

0%, compared to -50. 1% for Star Equity Holdings, Inc. (STRR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ADUS returned +399. 9% versus STRR's +50. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Star Equity Holdings, Inc.

(STRR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 19β versus Addus HomeCare Corporation's 0. 58β — meaning ADUS is approximately 200% more volatile than STRR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Star Equity Holdings, Inc. (STRR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 19% for Addus HomeCare Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Addus HomeCare Corporation (ADUS) is pulling ahead at 23.

2% versus -66. 9% for Star Equity Holdings, Inc. (STRR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Addus HomeCare Corporation grew EPS 23. 2% year-over-year, compared to -257. 7% for Star Equity Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ADUS leads at 14. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Addus HomeCare Corporation (ADUS) is the more profitable company, earning 6.

7% net margin versus -19. 6% for Star Equity Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 6. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ADUS leads at 9. 7% versus -15. 8% for STRR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ADUS leads at 32. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

In this comparison, STRR (7.

0% yield) pays a dividend. ADUS does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Star Equity Holdings, Inc.

(STRR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 19), 7. 0% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (STRR: +50. 6%, ADUS: +399. 9%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: STRR is a small-cap income-oriented stock; ADUS is a small-cap high-growth stock. STRR pays a dividend while ADUS does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.